Saturday, August 11, 2012

Instant analysis: Nats 6, D'backs 5

US Presswire photo

Michael Morse ... uh, I'm not sure how to finish this caption.

Game in a nutshell: What could have been a nice pitchers' duel between Edwin Jackson and Wade Miley instead turned into a slugfest almost from the moment each guy toed the rubber in the first inning. Jackson gave up four early runs and looked to be in serious trouble, only to right his ship for a little while and reach the sixth inning. That bought some time for the Nationals' lineup to figure out Miley and torch the NL Rookie of the Year candidate for six runs (five in the top of the fifth alone). Perhaps the most credit for this victory, though, goes to Washington's bullpen, which managed to strand runners in scoring position in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings before Tyler Clippard closed it out for his 24th save. Thus, the Nationals extended their winning streak to a season-high eight games. At at 71-43, they continue to hold baseball's best record by three full games.

Hitting highlight: It's amazing what a difference some depth has done for the Nationals lineup. With Jayson Werth back healthy and just about everyone contributing in some way, the Nats are capable of exploding for a big inning at any moment. Which they did in the top of the fifth, plating five runs on five hits: a Steve Lombardozzi bunt single, a Werth RBI double, a Ryan Zimmerman two-run single, a Michael Morse RBI double and a Jesus Flores RBI single. Remember when it looked like this team was seriously lacking in offensive ability? Yeah, not so much anymore.

Pitching lowlight: This was a laborious outing for Jackson, who gave up runs in the first, second and third innings, gave up five extra-base hits and needed 111 pitches to navigate his way through 5 2/3 innings. Not that the start was entirely negative for the right-hander. He faced the minimum in the fourth and fifth innings and struck out three batters in a row at one point. It wasn't a high-quality start, but Jackson did manage to get past his early struggles and actually depart with the Nationals holding a lead.

Key stat: Jackson recorded the 51st win by a Nationals starter this season. That's only one shy of the team record for an ENTIRE season, set by the 2005 rotation.

Up next: The series concludes with a Sunday matinee inside Chase Field. Left-handers Ross Detwiler and Patrick Corbin square off at 4:10 p.m. EDT.

Since leaving DC on July 22, the Braves are a really impressive 13-4. During that run, they have … fallen one additional game behind the Nationals, who despite having to playing 19 games in 19 days (part of their string of 35 games in 34 days), have done 15-4.

They're on a roll Swami. Just like FP has described from his Oakland A's.

They need to keep it up for this road trip and into September if they can. Then Rizzo will bring up reinforcements for the relievers and at least 3 starting pitchers. Plus I expect we'll see Brown, Rivero, and Rendon before he gets sent to the Arizona Fall League. I suppose they might send Rivero as well.

We are in a 101 win pace, and that is the source of pure joy! (Philthies will be lucky to win 80. Enjoy the next few years of mediocrity Colbert!)

Barves get the Dodgers soon, so their winning ways will end.

After the bombs we hit in Houston (how is a 425 foot drive to CF - Werth's - not a HR?), why won't we send balls into McCovey cove all night in SF? But first, let's get a solid outing from Det and a Statement Sweep of the Douc.., er, D-Backs.

I feel that this Nats team presses the issue all the time in every way. Always taking the extra base, alert, on their toes. Even in innings where they don 't score, they just seem to wear down the other team's pitching and defense. Then they start making mistakes, which the nats capitalize on. They have a very energetic vibe that has to be tiring. They are relentless, as someone said earlier.

Other than between the play-in game and the NLDS, there are days off. And the more games they win the more rest between series. If they can get by with three starters on normal rest they should do it. Another night or two like this and Jackson sits.

Don't get so worked up about Rivero. He could make you look as silly as your issues with Bynum, Antonelli, and JD Martin. The Phillies didn't give him away because of his hitting. He is a terrible fielder and they couldn't figure out where to hide him in the field. No DH in the NL.

If Rivero had a future, Phillies would have kept him because they needed to groom a successor to Polanco. (And they knew before this year Polanco was headed downhill.) Now they're stuck w/ a career scrubini.

Don't get so worked up about Rivero. He could make you look as silly as your issues with Bynum, Antonelli, and JD Martin. The Phillies didn't give him away because of his hitting. He is a terrible fielder and they couldn't figure out where to hide him in the field. No DH in the NL.

I think I said Seth Bynum should get his cup of coffee. Lots of folks here were pretty excited about Josh Wilkie from GWU. What about you?

Actually it was more about his hitting. That's where he needed the improvement Beasley seems to think he is doing pretty well. He can play shortstop, he has good hands the arm all the requisite tools, just the bat wasn't there. His fielding has improved significantly from when he was with Cleveland.

Hopefully, he'll get them something in a trade but the only way that happens is if they showcase him at the major league level. And the Nats do need prospects the cupboard is emptying out again.

They are going to call him up on September 1st. Hope it isn't too disappointing to you.

If they can get by with three starters on normal rest they should do it.

Go with Gio, JZimm, and Detwiler? Rizzo is all about having insurance. EJax will be there unless he completely implodes like Henry. They'll look at Ryan Perry for sure ... plus Lannan ... and yes Nats guy Maya will be there in September as well. Maya is definitely trade bait with only 2 million left on his contract.

He's on the 40-man. When the minor league season end they bring him up. Get him ready for the Arizona Fall League. Next season he likely makes the majors barring injury. That's when the great debate will begin: moving Zim to first base and Rendon to third base.

Davey is going to want to look at both guys now to evaluate them together. So, I do suspect Rendon might see playing time in September.

Peric, do you really think Rizzo will showcase Maya as trade bait during a pennant race? Seems unlikely. That is the Nats of years past.

yeah, with the Braves breathing down their neck ... Lannan is also trade bait and we know he is going to get starts in place of Stras but when does Stras get shutdown? It might be after the minor league season ends? Rivero is trade bait.

It'll be interesting as Ladson's interview with Davey today attests: Davey is all about the future and leaving the best possible roster when he retires. Davey will be thinking along these lines you can bet on it.

Again, it depends on where they are ... where Atlanta is. Think about it. They now only need to win 30 games to reach 100 wins. That's a record of 30 and 20.

Davey is going to want to rest some folks in the bullpen. He sounded pretty concerned about Clippard and Storen. It seems almost a foregone conclusion that they will use Christian Garcia he would be another Mattheus type of pitcher. They could probably use him.

Maya would be a mop-up guy I guess ... but yeah this may be the last chance to get some value for Maya.

If the race is close right to the end it will be reflected in who gets called up and who plays. If it is close I suspect they will play Brown, Rendon, and Garcia.

When Stras is shutdown I expect at least one start will go to Ryan Perry. Think about it, both he and Rivero have no options remaining. Perry appears to have earned a shot at starting to show what he can do. He's never started in the minors or majors before this year. He is still young. He may have more value in a trade than Lannan. But both pitchers will have to be showcased IMO.

As far as the next tier: Maya and Rivero we'll have to see ... but you're right it seems unlikely at this point. I suppose they could send Rivero to the AFL but without options what do they do with him? What do they do with Maya?

However, Maya they can keep one more year as major league depth in AAA. The problem with that is Maya is now over 30. Not even close to prospect age. They have to give him some hope or they might lose him next season. So, I can see Maya coming in for middle relief for a appearance or two.

Speaking of pitching depth, Zach Duke is putting together a nice season in Syracuse. He threw nine shutout innings Friday. He's 13-5 with an ERA just over 3.50.

He's probably gone after this season ... but he probably has been the best pitcher in AAA over the entire season. But he's not on the 40-man. He was unfortunately always just additional depth after Lannan and Maya. Another former Pirates ace like Tom Gorzelanny. Both left handers.

i suspect Rosenbaum has been hiding an injury. That seems to be the only plausible explanation. Hopefully, the Nats will get to the bottom of things before he damages his arm as Cole Kimball did when he hid that injury that began in spring training.

Nats should find a way to cobble Maya and Jackson together once September rolls around. Maya could work the first three innings -- after which he always folds up. Jackson could throw three simulated innings in the BP and come in in the fourth when he's finally ready to pitch.

Nice comeback and win, and I watched the whole thing (yawn). Well, I may have dozed off a time or two in the late innings (yawn). Will be out and about for today's game, but recording it to watch later.

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About the Author

Mark Zuckerman has covered the Nationals since the franchise arrived in D.C. He's been a member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America since 2001 and is a Hall of Fame voter. Email mzuckerman@comcastsportsnet.com.